AN: So alot going on at once, but for now everyone is safe and sound.
It took another couple hours to reach the garden and when they finally did, Irvine looked up to Hearth and shook his head, "Hey, hey you with the red! Open the door's I got Gil." once the passage was open, Irvine carried the albino all the way into the infirmary and laid him in a vacant bed before going into Kadowaki's office. "Yo long time no see, Kadowaki. Brought Gilly back wit me hes over in room five, dead asleep from the trip, might wanna check in on him, he was almost like a stick, felt every rib stabbin me in the back on the way back." He bowed slightly then stated, "Now if you'll excuse me I have a family to attend to." He walked out of the office.
Kadowaki smiled, "'Atta boy Irvine, ya sure earnd it dis time. Go head and sit in there wit ya woman, she's been a waitin fer ya." Raising from her desk she sighed and grabbed some papers as she left the room ready to go check up on Gilbert. Shooting a glance at Quistis' room as she passed, noting that she was awake. A sigh fell from Kadowaki's lips as she peeked into Quistis' room and smiled, "Gil's back but apparently bent outa shape, give'em till the morn to come see ya, hope the little'ns are treatin ya well." She retreated back and then went to enter Gil's room, seeing the albino sleeping like a rock. "Ah, guess I'll just see 'im later then…" she turned and headed back to her office, closing and locking the door for the night as she retired to her quarters.
Quistis noticed Kadowaki return to her office. She stood up and quietly walked out of the room, glancing over at the twins, who were just making soft noises. She slipped out and followed the route she believed Kadowaki took. She slipped into the room, and turned to look at the bed, Gilbert lay uncovered in the same outfit he was wearing the last time she saw him. His skin looked a little translucent and paler than normal. Quistis found herself leaning over him, to look into his face, there were bruises under his eyes, and his face looked a little thin. She leaned closer to him smiling as she placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Much to her pleasure he responded to the kiss, deepening it. She pulled away to look him in the eyes, their light dull, but still there.
"Love. . .I'm sorry" He said in barely a whisper, His eyes moved to the side. With an embarrassed look. Quistis interrupted him from saying anything more by pulling him into a more passionate kiss, She felt his hand cup the the back of her neck. After a moment she pulled back smiling at him.
"Gilbert, I don't care. You're back, there is not a thing for you to be sorry for." She looked him dead in the eyes "Now, you're coming with me. There are two people I want you to meet." Before the male could protest, Quistis had pulled him to his feet and out of the door. "You won't believe how much Leif looks like you . . .and Gabbie too!" She smiled as Gilbert cocked his head to the side.
"Gabbie?" He asked softly.
"Short for Gabrella" They walked through the door. Gilbert's eyes followed Quistis as she walked over to the place where twins lay happily cooing at each other. She lifted up Leif and cradled him against her chest. The Newborn reached out for her face as she walked over to Gilbert. "Remember how we taught you to hold a baby?" Gilbert nodded, adjusting himself to take the small infant from his mother. Once he was settled in his arms Gilbert seemed to just shut down, a smile formed across his lips, and he made a soft coo. Leif reached a tiny hand to grasp his father's finger. Gilbert blinked noticing that the tiny hand's skin was the same as his own; Albino.
Squall sat up to find himself back in the Garden and within the bed of the infirmary and he sat up feeling some moisture on his lip. Brushing his finger across his lip and stared down at what remained, *Again?* Wiping off his finger he sighed, as he looked down at the bandages that covered his torso. *Damn that bitch got me good…* Shaking his head he laid back and stared at the ceiling thinking about his kids and a smile crossed his face as he closed his eyes.
"Good morning Squall" Celeste walked over to Squall's bedside. "Don't you wonder about the blood on your lips?" She leaned over him "Why don't you open your eyes and see?"
Squall eyes shot open and glared at the source of the voice. "Oh its you, what in hell do you want, goddess." He sat up slowly and stared the woman down, "Seriously don't make me do something that we're both going to regret, now tell me, Why. In. Hell. Are. You. Here?" he took notice of the hand at her neck and smirked, "So its been you putting the blood on my lips hasn't it?" He scoffed and shook his head not liking this, after what she had said he wanted her gone...and frankly she was still sitting there.
Celeste nodded smiling softly "When you're unconscious you don't seem to mind. . .In fact this last time I didn't have to prompt you to shallow" She stepped to the side removing her hand, to reveal a cut on her neck, which the glow-tinged blood flowed from. "Your body is quite receptive to my blood. . .and the power that comes with it." She closed her eyes and spread both sets of wings. When her eyes opened again lines of blue energy flowed across her skin following the paths that naturally run through every living thing's body. She lowered her head so that she and Squall where eye to eye. "To defeat Gilgamesh, you're going to need the power of two Gardens. . .To keep this Garden safe you're going to need me and Rinoa at our full power. I alone cannot keep my twin at bay, and defend the Garden from outside threats as well. . ." She backed up from him. "And you can thank me for saving your life. . .It was my blood that healed you, and next time I may not be able to get my twin to back off before she kills you"
A soft growl emitted from Squall's mouth as he continued to glare down the angelic figure. "Look here you, you've already overstayed your welcome. All that I worked to protect, all that I fought to save, you're about to bring all those horrors back to me. Rinoa was safe then you came along, this world was safe then you brought that Gilbert with you AND your twin. I mean damnit!" He jolted from his feet and stared her in the eyes, "Now do me favor and get out of my garden, and take your damn sister with you. Get off my ship, and out of my world." He flailed his arm sideways. "I don't care what you think anymore and I never needed your help. I've got this, I always have…" He backed away from her and scoffed, not caring at all.
Celeste's eyes flashed with what could be called anger. In a split second Celeste had slammed Squall into the wall behind him. "You don't understand do you?! Gilgamesh was already here looking for that blade! He will stop at nothing to get it. If Gilgamesh destroys this Garden, he'll destroy the other as well. . .He'll call out the darkness within the hearts of the people of this world, then there won't be a world here anymore. Every single thing you have done will have been for naught" She snarled at him, her lips pulled back from her teeth showing short fangs "What Rinoa is isn't the same as what you are labeling her as! I will be awakening a power from within her that has been with her since she was born! It is Her Power, Squall! Her power, not the power passed to her from the Sorceress. . .That power is the blade that he wants, the power I can awaken. He doesn't know that what his is looking for IS RINOA, when he figures it out, he'll stop at nothing to spill her blood. If he spills enough of her blood, he can infuse her power into a sword. . .and with that power he can destroy EVERY WORLD THAT EXISTS. . . I suggest you do not test me, Squall. . .You will lose without my help."
Squall was taken aback by the sudden change in demeanor from the Celeste he knew. He suddenly found himself pinned against the wall of the infirmary room with a flaming Celeste staring him in the eye. He growled at her and just shut his trap as he listened to what the fuming character had to say. A look of defeat took over his face as he stared into Celeste's eyes, "You have got to be fucking kidding me…" He pushed her off of him… and broke away across the room, obviously deep in thought. An eerie silence filled the room for an extended period of time before Squall finally let out a sigh. "Do what you must...I can't say that I approve entirely but damnit what choice do I have?" He turned around and faced the angelic figure and shook his head. "But I swear to you if anything happens to Rinoa or my kids, I'm going to personally rip those wings of yours off." He stormed out of the room, and left Celeste standing there alone.
Celeste gave a small smile, and watched. "Nothing will happen as long as we are careful" She walked out and went the opposite way Squall did. She smiled to herself. 'I won't let her or any other person in this garden get hurt. . .Not because of what is to come.'
Morning came and Gilbert was still in the room with Quistis. He had fallen asleep in a chair, Quistis sat on the bed, she blinked and looked around. Her eyes fell on Gilbert, she could see the way his shirt hung loosely from his frame. During the night she hadn't notice the drop in his weight. His hair looked uncombed and dirty, it was matted in a few places. She felt a silent tear roll down her cheek. Quistis started to reach out to stroke the side of his face.
After rearranging her office for a bit Dr. Kadowaki went out on her morning rounds, peeking in the windows of the infirmary rooms to see who was awake, and was happy to see that Gilbert was up and about with Quistis. Figuring that Squall could wait a bit for her to check on him. She entered the room and nodded at Quistis, "Nice to see you awake and alive. As fer Gilbert how's he holdin up? I could see that there was something up with him, but I couldn't lay a finger on it from a distance." She got a worried look on her face and started to eye down the sleeping Gilbert.
Quistis blinked and looked at Kadowaki. "He was so cute when he was holding Leif." She put her hand back on her lap. "But now that I have seen him not moving around . . .How much weight has he lost?" She looked at Gilbert worried. She knew he'd lost a kilogram or possibly two while he wasn't training, but he looked practically starved now. His face which had been sharp yet had a certain roundness to it now only looked fractured and bony. His height, which was above average within the Garden, had always made him look really slim, but now he looked light enough to be blown over by even a slight gust of took a breath and shook his arm. "Gilbert, Honey" He shook himself awake. He jumped a bit his expression startled and looked at Quistis, an almost feral look to his eyes that quickly cooled to a dull yet lively color.
"Hmm?" He looked confused between the two women looking at him "What?". His eyes followed Kadowaki as she came closer to him. He knew that she'd want him to follow her so she could get a good look at him, height, weight, any injuries. . .The whole deal. He sighed knowing that he wasn't about to get a clean bill of health.
Kadowaki sighed, "Glad the kids alright, and that he got ta see his youngins beforen I got ahold of em. I can already tell just by lookin at em that he's underweight, but I'm going to have to run a blood test and all that to git som more infermation on em." She looked at Gilbert, who had just woke up, "Ah just in time, just need ya to folla me and we'll get ya checked out. Ya not lookin the best there." She motioned for him to get up, "A'ight Quisty, I'll have em back before ya know it, now keep them there kiddos occupied." She smiled and started to walk out of the room hoping that Gilbert was right behind.
Gilbert followed Kadowaki, his eyes on the floor. "I know. . .I know. . .I was reckless, I shouldn't have run off like that. . .I caused problems. . ." He sighed, briefly closing his eyes "but tell me. . .Did the birth go well?" He looked at her, his eyes regaining quite a bit of their luster. He tilted his head to the side. "And how long ago?" he kept asking questions of the like because he felt guilty for missing what would have possibly been one of the most important things that would happen to him and Quistis.
Dr. Kadowaki turned and shook her head, "Shut yer trap already, no need to be apoligizin to me. As for the birth, went off without a hitch, quite surprizin considerin the circumstances, now sit down shut up and roll up that sleeve of yours." She set up the blood collection apparatus and waited for Gilbert to prepare himself. Once he had done that she examined the needle then looked at Gilbert, "Hold still." She slowly inserted the needle into his inner left elbow and returned to her seat, "Now stay until I get enough." Popping open her newspaper she started to read as she waited. About five minutes passed until she felt she had an adequate amount of blood from the albino, "A'right Gil, now if you need anything to get your strength back I will send for it, but you're free to head back to Quistis and yer kids fer now." She removed the needle and took the blood back into her lab for testing purposes, closing the door behind her.
Gilbert's head felt like it was spinning, and he slowly got up. As he got up the floor seemed to fall out from under him, he fell back to the seat. He paused there for a moment and waited for a moment before getting back up. He walked back to Quistis' room. As soon as he walked in a gentle arm wrapped around his shoulders and helped him to a chair.
"Gilbert, so, what did she say?" Quistis was asking her face a few inches from his. He shook his head as if to say 'nothing' and looked her in the eyes. He looked dizzy, and slightly confused. Quistis chuckled at him softly, and cupped his chin and placed a soft kiss on his lips.
The kiss left Gilbert smiling as Quistis pulled away. "So now that I have your full attention, Would you like to meet Gabbie?" He nodded and Quistis brought over the tiny girl, her nearly white skin catching his attention.
"She's albino too?" Quistis shook her head 'no'.
"Albinoid, She's just really pale." Gilbert held out his arms to hold her, but Quistis didn't put her in his arms. instead she sat next to him and let him watch as she cooed and rocked the small bundle.
"Ah." Gilbert smiled softly, not even hurt by Quistis' actions. He still felt dizzy, which meant holding a baby wouldn't be a good idea.
Returning to his room Squall smiled seeing Rinoa sound asleep with Julia laying on her stomach and Lee balled up beside her, sucking on his thumb as he was stone cold asleep. The serene moment got his mind off of the moment that he just had with the angel. A sigh fell from his lips as he walked over to the bedside stroking her face softly. He leaned down close to her and lightly kissed her on the forehead. Just as he leaned away from her face he saw her eyes slowly open and a smile cross her face.
"Squall…" The words softly left her lips, "...thank goodness…" A small whimper came from her side as a small body started to squirm. She smiled and brought the baby boy close to her face and kissed his cheek, "There there...its alright. Mommy's got you." She smiled back at Squall and said in a low tone, "I think they have been missing their daddy, they seemed to realize you were gone you know?" A chuckle fell from her lips as she felt another squirming body, looking down she smiled and said, "Aww little Julia's up too." Before she could do anything she noticed a pair of hands wrap around the young girl and pull her up and into his arms. She glanced over at Squall and saw a smile form on his face as he started to play with his daughter.
Irvine was sitting in the window sill of the infirmary room where his beloved slept like a baby. Speaking of babies, he smirked at the small kid sleeping in a crib beside the infirmary bed. He gripped his hat in his hand and smiled at the little one as he jumped off of the window sill. Looking at his Selphie he sighed and placed the hat back atop his head as his face dropped. "I'm sorry…" he mumbled as he walked towards the kid, taking in the view of the small bundle of heaven that he called his daughter.
Selphie opened her eyes, after having pretended to be asleep, and looked at Irvine. "Irvy, why are you saying sorry?" She blinked and stared at him. She sat up slowly her eyes not leaving him for longer that a second.
Tilting his hat over his eyes Irvine sighed, "Now listen here Selphie...It's not nothin big, just I would have wanted to be wit ya here after ya gave birth, spend the first moments of our child's life together and such...so don't worry bout it…" He sat down beside Selphie smiled at her as he tipped his hat back up, "All that matters now is that I'm here with you and little Tori." He pulled Selphie into a close hug and smiled at her as a small cry emitted from the crib. "Take the load off Selph, I got this one." He walked over to Tori's crib and smiled as he picked her up. A look of complete love took over his face as he stared his daughter in the eyes. "Ah my little Victoria...daddy's little gal." He began to cradle her in his arms letting Tori suck on his index finger.
Selphie watched Irvine hold their daughter. She smiled at him "She's probably hungry, I think Kadowaki left a bottle next to the crib. She said that I wasn't making milk yet." Selphie gave a confused face. "Not sure why." She laughed as she saw a tiny hand reach for Irvine's hair which was hanging over his shoulder.
Irvine smiled as he saw his little girl reaching for his hair, "Aww your rig...GHAA! she's gotta grip…" he finished in a half whimpered voice as he tried to pry the small hands from his hair… Once he had succeeded he thought back to where Selphie had said the bottle was and after finding it he smiled and started to feed Tori, finding a chair to park his ass in while he did it.
Zell stood at the helm of the bridge and stared down the surrounding area. He scrunched his face and sighed hard, "Gaaaahhhh...I'm bored…" His fists started to fly into invisible objects in front of him.
"Careful Zell!" A stern voice shot out at him and immediately Zell showed the scorn in his face as his upper lip flared.
He tilted his head partially sideways as he turned his body towards the projected voice, he stuck his tongue out at the feminine character, "Get off my back Xu, geeze can't even let a guy have any fun around here." He rolled his eyes and planted his ass directly on the ground below him. He shoved the palm of his hand into the side of his face, "I swear I don't understand how that man does it every damn day...God...so much rules...so many regulations…"
Shaking her head Xu walked over to him and grabbed him by the hair. "Get your ass up! Until Squall gets back YOUR in charge, and you better act it or I'll be the one to set you in place." She threw him back on the floor, "Hurry up and get back to work already, you're wasting time...like always…"
Bolting to his feet Zell snarled at Xu, "Damn it woman! Staff off the hair already!" He rubbed the back of his head as he stared down the prissy woman walking away from him. He scoffed as he headed towards the lift to take himself back down to the third floor and to the blasted paperwork he hated so much…
After a while Gilbert had dozed off in the chair, totally oblivious to anything that may have been happening in the room. Quistis smiled watching him sleep as she could tell he needed the rest, and rest would help him start getting his weight back up. She sighed thinking for a moment, after she was okay to leave she'd need to train to get back into shape, and Gilbert would also need to train. So why not kill two birds with one stone and train together? She nodded to herself and made a note to mention it to Gilbert later.
Dr. Kadowaki reemerged from her little cave in the back of her office, documents in hand. As she entered Quistis and Gilbert's infirmary room she sighed and said, "Welp good and bad news Gil, bad news, you're extremely underweight, and 'cordin to your blood sample, sufferin from some malnutrition. You need to gain some weight back, whether it be in fat or muscle take yer pick young man, and get a move on. As for the good news...well ya get free food and time with ya wife..thing..Thats all I've a gotta say fer now, ya'll have a nice day." She popped back out just as quickly as she came in.
Selphie couldn't help laughing really hard at the whole scene. "Watch it, she seems to like hair"
Quistis blinked at what Kadowaki said. Her eyes went and rested on Gilbert's slight frame. She gave a soft smile and nodded even more determined to get Gilbert healthy again.